Ageable DFH Brews

I've had success aging Bitches Brew although I can't really say it benefited but it certainly didn't hurt it.

 

I age a lot of DFH. You have the right ones in mind.

IMO: Olde School changes the most and is perfect at the 5+ yr mark. 120, D'Extra, and Immort don't change much - just get softer. WWS becomes port. Palo becomes a malt-bomb.

 

I aged a 120 Minute for 3 years. I didn't appreciate the way it turned out. A beer to be drank fresh, in my opinion. I also aged some Palo Santo, and wasn't too happy with the way these turned out either. I drank an '09 Fort several months ago that I really enjoyed. Note that these were cellared in a basement that typically stuck around 60-65, so proper temps might yield better results.

I have a couple '11 and an '04 WWS...it'll be interesting to see how these turn out.

 

Burton Baton at 1 year is fantastic. I know that's not long, but I haven't tried longer.

 

Burton is by far the best experience I've had with aging. I've had it 1, 2, and 3 years and it just gets better. I prefer it over fresh now.

 

Life and Limb is another one that I recall Sam saying was "built for aging."

 

Believe it or not, Hellhound on my Ale is wayyyyyyy better with a year on it. That nasty lemon pledge flavor disappears and the malt really shines. I was very surprised.

 

Raisin De Etra (SP?) is finally coming into a good beer after tucking it on the shelf for about a year. I generally don't like their stuff, so take that with a grain of salt.

 

We did a Midas touch for a year. Didn't turn out bad. I wasn't a fan of it fresh. My 2012 120 is drinking better than all my other 120 vintages right now. I popped a 2010 wws the other day and it was still a bit hot for me.

 

I have a few first release Positive Contact that Im interested in finding out if they've done anything.

 

Just opened one a couple days ago. Tastes about the same IMO.

 

Good to know. I don't think I will be sitting on them too much longer.

 

From their <14% abv brews, Positive Contact is one of my top 5 I think.

 

Had a cork and cage raison d' extra ...2004 I think at a tasting it was awesome...just got an 07 d'extra in an awesome trade as an extra so stoked for it....glad that beer is coming back ...never had it fresh so I am excited to try it fresh and stash some away
I have a bunch of random dfh 750's from 2010-2012 accidentally aging (tried them all fresh just didn't get to these) like red and white....theobroma....etc.. (Forget the rest) as well as 1-2 of the ones you mentioned from 11&12 ... Wish I had more but drank them fresh
Picked up some immort, wws and olde school to put down from this year

 

I found that 120 doesn't undergo a successful transformation until 6-7 years out. It takes on a nasty vegetal flavor that needs a lot of time to disappear. But when it does, the beer is wonderful.

 

As for other brews, Immort should be drank fresh. The smokiness is a great counter to the sweet berry flavors of the underlying beer. 6 months to a year in the cellar is fine, but I'm now regretting letting some sit for 2 years.

 

I like immort fresh as well but never say any down so figured what the hell...when do you plan on opening the 2 year olds